China: Snow Leopard in Qinghai

China is a vast country, the third largest on earth, with a dazzling array of landscapes and environments that rivals anywhere else on the planet. A good number of the nation’s 1420 or so birds are endemic or near endemic and many are poorly known. We’ve operated dozens of tours to the fantastic Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and on this radically revised itinerary we’ll explore some truly remote parts of the ‘Roof of the World’ in search of Snow Leopard. Stunningly attractive, rare and endangered and notoriously elusive, some would even say mythical, the Snow Leopard inhabits some of the highest, most remote and isolated parts of our planet. Solitary for much of the year, they inhabit essentially impenetrable mountain terrain. In summer they venture high above the tree line, but in autumn they are forced to descend to lower altitudes in search of food – and it is at this time that we have our best chances of seeing one and, although a sighting of such a rare creature can never be guaranteed, we have a very good chance. Wolf, the numerous Blue Sheep, and even Lynx are among the other creatures we have a chance of encountering and what a backdrop to search for them in – the starkly beautiful, seemingly barren mountain scenery is absolutely stunning in itself. Sparsely populated and only marginally impacted by man, this is a true wilderness area. Nor will we neglect the region’s numerous ornithological delights.

The Tibetan Plateau resulted from the dramatic geological upheavals that created the Himalayas, and this stark landscape is effectively a high-altitude desert, with more than half of the plateau at over 13,500 feet). Now more accurately known as the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the region is home to an impressive array of charismatic species. Mammals we should see on the optional extension to Lhasa also include Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Antelope, Kiang (or Tibetan Wild Ass) and possibly even a wild Yak. Bird life should include majestic Black-necked Cranes, the elusive Kessler’s Thrush, stunningly patterned Güldenstädt’s (or White-winged) and possibly Przevalski’s (or Ala Shan) Redstarts, six species of snowfinch, numerous larks, engaging White-browed Tits, and the attractive Henderson’s Ground Jay. In more than 20 tours to the Plateau we have never failed to find Przevalski’s Finch (aka Pink-tailed Bunting), a gorgeous and enigmatic species recently placed into its own family. Spending time in forests just off the Plateau, we’ll visit Huzhu Bei Shan, an area only recently opened to foreigners and one that harbours an impressive remnant ancient forest thronged with Phylloscopus warblers, redstarts, and buntings, as well as many other regional specialities.

A special attraction on this tour is an extension to Lhasa on an overnight sleeper train,  a journey that is rapidly becoming one of China’s “must-do” experiences. We’ll enjoy some truly magnificent scenery and wildlife watching from our modern train, which offers comfortable four-berth sleeping compartments. Our ultimate destination on the extension is Lhasa, the historic capital of the Tibetan region and long isolated from the outside world. A visit to this remote city will be a thrilling climax to the tour, and we’ll take time to soak up the atmosphere of this magical place and experience some of the fabulous Buddhist culture for which it is famous. Among many other species, we expect to see Tibet’s three main ornithological attractions: Tibetan Eared Pheasant, Brown-cheeked Laughingthrush, and Giant Babax.

The local Tibetan Buddhists found throughout Qinghai and Tibet must rank as some of the warmest and most hospitable people on Earth and this tour is guaranteed to be a real adventure and one that will show you animals, birds and places seen by very few.